Primary Sources from UH Mānoa Library's Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection
Do you think there should be a time limit on government apologies and redress? At some point would an injustice be too far in the past to warrant an apology from the current government? What factors do you consider in answering this question?
Some Japanese Americans sought only monetary redress without an apology. Some public commentators thought an apology alone was enough. What do you think is the value of financial payments versus an apology? How might they and their effects be different?
Community, individual, and grass-roots efforts were indispensable in the redress movement. What movements for social justice have active grass-roots movements today?
Do you think the political cartoon “You might try rubbing some money on it” is for or against financial reparations?
What were the main reasons that justified redress for Japanese Americans?
What were some arguments against redress?
Which archival document stood out to you and why?
What are some current issues that might relate to the Japanese American wartime experience and their fight for redress? Is national security still used as a reason for policies toward specific groups that limit their freedom of movement, association, or financial opportunity?
What was the role of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians in the path toward redress? Do you think redress could have been achieved without its work?